Loving You Too Long

The throbbing sensation returned to Haisley’s head. She opened her eyes and blinked to ward off the light emanating from the ceiling above her..

Where is this?

The question immediately popped into her head. Slowly, Haisley got up and sat. Her eyes scanned the surroundings. Isn’t this her old room? Why is she here?

Haisley stood up and felt a queasiness in her stomach, then the girl ran to the bathroom and emptied whatever was writhing in her throat.

Nausea, heat in her stomach, and a burning sensation in her throat made Haisley shed tears, the effects of everything she felt.

Haisley rinsed her mouth and then sat on the closed toilet. The dizziness pierced her head more and her vision seemed to shimmer because of it.

What happened? The question without an answer once again filled her head. She tried to remember what happened last night. She danced with Steven and afterward, she drank the juice on the bar table, then she felt dizzy. And after that? She forgot. Her mind was completely blank.

Was it Gilbert who took her upstairs to the room? Haisley snorted. Of course. There’s no way Nathan would do it.

Haisley stood up again as her dizziness began to subside. She walked back into the room and widened her eyes when she saw the clock showing eight o’clock. Trouble, she would be late for work!

Quickly, Haisley rushed out of her room and almost collided with the solid wall in front of her. Correction, not a wall, but Gilbert’s broad chest.

“Are you awake?” the man asked while holding Haisley’s head that had almost hit him.

Haisley looked up and nodded. “I’m late, G,” she muttered, more like grumbling.

Gilbert shook his head. “You have the afternoon off. I’ve contacted your boss. So here.” He handed the paper bag in his left hand to Haisley. “Mama’s clothes. Shower and change, then I’ll wait for you for breakfast in the backyard.” He said in a more commanding tone.

Haisley peeked into the paper bag as Gilbert’s hands touched her shoulders, turned her body, and then pushed the petite Haisley back inside.

“Ten minutes max. Don’t take too long. I’m really hungry,” the man said, then closed the door behind Haisley.

Haisley unpacked the contents of the gift onto the bed and lifted it. A beautiful white dress that fell to her knees with a soft floral pattern, and matching underwear. Although it didn’t have a price tag, Haisley knew these were new items. She smiled and silently thanked Mrs. Gilbert and, of course, Gilbert. She then walked back into the bathroom and washed herself with her favorite brand of soap, which somehow was there. Again, she whispered her thanks to the mother and son.

With the new clothes and still-wet hair after showering, Haisley came down exactly ten minutes later. It was relatively quick as Haisley didn’t like spending too much time in the bathroom unless she was soaking or taking a long bath. She also didn’t use any makeup because she didn’t carry anything other than what was in her small bag, which only contained a wallet with not much money and identification cards.

Haisley came down with a mood that somehow felt better than last night and the days before. When she saw Loretta at the dining table, Haisley appeared normal and waved enthusiastically to the girl. It was as if the jealousy she felt last night due to seeing the intimacy between the girl and Nathan had disappeared into thin air.

“Good morning,” she greeted everyone.

Simultaneously, everyone turned their heads towards her and responded with ‘Good morning’ with different expressions, except for Nathan. He didn’t say anything, just looked at Haisley with a cynical gaze.

But it didn’t matter; Haisley didn’t care. Soon, she wouldn’t have to see that gaze anymore. She told herself.

Yes, Haisley finally decided that she would go back to America. Start everything anew. Pursue scholarships for her education. If she couldn’t fulfill everything before the beginning of next year’s semester, she would ask her father to fund her studies. If her father got angry and refused, Haisley would look for a job. If that proved difficult, she would ask her brother-in-law for help to be employed in his company.

In essence, Haisley’s plan is to return to America first. She’ll figure out other plans later. Period.

“You look very beautiful,” Mrs. Monica said. She looked at Haisley from top to bottom. The dress she was wearing had a square neckline, showing off her slender neck and most of her shoulders. The wide bottom of the dress moved with Haisley’s steps, revealing her calves and small ankles. “Do you like the dress?” Mrs. Monica asked again, and Haisley nodded in response. “Are you okay?” Mrs. Monica looked at Haisley carefully.

Haisley nodded her head in response. Her eyes caught sight of toast in front of her, suddenly making her stomach growl. Haisley sat to the left of Mrs. Monica, right next to Gilbert, placing her across from Loretta. Without hesitation, Haisley flipped the plate in front of her and took the toast from the middle of the table. “Haisley is really hungry, Tan,” she said with a grin on her face.

“Eat a lot,” Mrs. Monica said, stroking Haisley’s still damp head. “Why didn’t you dry your hair? What if you get a headache?” She asked with concern.

Haisley pouted and nodded her head at Gilbert. “G told Haisley to come down quickly. He said she was hungry,” she said, answered by Gilbert with a raised eyebrow. He reached for the toast that Haisley took and then spread chocolate spread on it. Haisley chuckled afterward. “It’s okay, Tan. It’ll dry on its own later,” she said as she took back her toast and began to bite into it in one big bite.

“Are you okay, Haisley?” The soft question came from Loretta.

Haisley blinked both of her eyes and looked at Loretta in confusion. Then she nodded because her mouth was full of bread. Gilbert handed her milk so that Haisley could swallow her breakfast before answering.

“You, like you haven’t eaten for a week.” The comment came from Gilbert as he wiped the bread crumbs from the corner of Haisley’s mouth. Haisley herself just laughed hearing it. Meanwhile, Nathan, the man, stared at Haisley with his usual sharp gaze.

Haisley shrugged. “I don’t know. I felt nauseous this morning, and you know,” Haisley whispered the word ‘vomit’ to her friend. “And now, I’m hungry.”

Gilbert raised the corner of his mouth in understanding. “That’s because you got drunk last night,” he said, answered by nods from Loretta and Mrs. Monica.

“Really?” She asked shyly.

Gilbert, Loretta, and Mrs. Monica nodded again. “Don’t you remember at all?” the man asked, curious. Haisley shook her head with a grin on her face. “Not at all?” Gilbert asked, intrigued. Haisley nodded. Gilbert chuckled. A mocking smile from the man was directed at his sister. Haisley herself didn’t know why.

“Did I do something wrong?” the girl asked when she saw Nathan’s face still giving her a sharp look. “Did I do something embarrassing?” She asked again to Gilbert, the girl was really panicking now. Mrs. Monica again stroked her hair while Gilbert held her hand to calm her.

“There’s nothing wrong, Haisley. Everything’s fine. You’re a good kid even when you’re drunk,” Gilbert replied with a smile that never left his face.

“Meaning?” Haisley asked, confused.

“Meaning, you’re the type of person who doesn’t cause trouble when drunk,” Gilbert replied again. “What’s the last thing you remember?” he asked, curious.

Haisley furrowed her brow, thinking seriously while chewing on her toast. “Steven and I were dancing, and then I had your juice.” She said, answered by Gilbert’s nod. “That juice tasted really good, G. Why alcohol?” She complained.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Gilbert didn’t answer. The man just laughed. “What are you going to do? You’re off work today. Want to go out?” Gilbert offered again.

Haisley shook her head. “I need to freshen up. While there’s still time.” She said, taking another bite of her toast.

“Freshen up?” Mrs. Monica looked at Haisley in confusion.

Haisley nodded. “Today was supposed to be my last day at work, Tan. The day after tomorrow, I’m going back to America.” Haisley’s response was met with silence.